MASTER MCDONALD

Te Awanga Estate winemaker Rod Mcdonald has been named in the inaugural Master Winemaker 100 list, a prestigious who’s-who of winemakers compiled by The drinks business UK magazine. The accolade follows on from a Master award (a tier above Gold) for his Te Awanga Estate Trademark Syrah 2016, one of five Master medals awarded after a syrah tasting judged by international Master-of-wines and Master Sommeliers. Mcdonald says he was blown away to be listed alongside such wineries as Chapoutier and Vasse Felix. “The Trademark Syrah is our flagship wine, only made in exceptional vintages with limited bottles,” says Mcdonald. “Releasing Trademark to the world is like poking a stick in the ground and saying that this is the best we can create at that particular time, at this particular place”. Mcdonald appears on the Master Winemaker 100 list beside winemakers from Craggy Range (pinot noir), Greywacke (chardonnay), te Pā (pinot gris), Marisco (sauvignon blanc) and Babich (organic).